Another stage at the Tour de France and another victory for Astana Pro Team. Magnus Cort brings the Kazakh team second stage win in a row, taking stage 15 in a perfect sprint from a breakaway group on the streets of Carcassonne.

"It is amazing! It was one of my biggest dreams when I’ve started riding a bike. This is my first Tour de France and I am so happy to win a stage here. I thank a lot my team for giving me a chance to ride this Tour. A special thank to Michael Valgren, who did absolutely incredible job today, providing me a huge help! Everything was just perfect today and our sports director Lars Michaelsen had a big belief in me in this stage. Many days ago we already discussed this stage and he said me it could suit me really well. So, today I went in a breakaway together with Michael Valgren and, finally, everything worked out perfectly. So, I am very happy!" – explained Magnus Cort.

Together with Michael Valgren, Magnus Cort became a part of a long-day breakaway at this stage 15 of the Tour de France (Millau – Carcassonne, 181 km). A huge selection in the break has been done on the 1st category climb Pic de Nore. Both Astana riders were very active and, finally, made part of the leading group, which played the stage victory.

Inside the final 7 km Magnus Cort launched an attack from the break to go away together with just two riders, Bauke Mollema and Ion Izagirre. At the finish line in Carcassonne Astana rider was the strongest, taking his first Tour stage win.

"Yesterday we all were happy with the win of Omar Fraile and this gave me confidence that everything is possible for me in this Tour. In the final I tried to hold a big concentration on my rivals, because I knew someone could attack. I was pretty sure in my sprint, but always there is a risk that someone would try to do something before finish. So, I was able to response to all attacks and to come for a sprint" - added Magnus Cort.

After doing a great job and closing all attacks of the rivals, Michael Valgren finished fourth.

The peloton finished calmly 13 minutes 11 seconds behind Magnus Cort, while Jakob Fuglsang and all other Astana rider crossed the line safely in the group. After stage 15 Fuglsang still holds his 9th position in the general classification of the Tour de France.

Tomorrow will be held the second rest day of the race.